Looking for E39 M5 (In the UK) - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Jim Green · 30th January 2007, 14:19

After working overseas in the USA for the last 14 years, I'm about to return to the UK (In March) and will be on the lookout for a mint condition E39 M5. So I thought what better place to start off than on here.

Would obviously prefer a facelift model, but condition and history is more important than the year.

I used to show my RS Cosworth at most of the RS Owners Club Events, so I'm sure you can appreciate the standard of car I'm looking for. (If you've ever been to an RS Owners Club Event, and looked at the standard of the cars on show in the concourse class, then you'll know where I'm coming from.

Basically looking for the following :

E39 M5 1999 - 2001
Expecting to pay up to around 18k
Milage (Condition and Service History More important, but up to 80,000 considered).
Colours : Prefer the Silvers...or Black, but again, condition more important.
Interiors : No Crazy Colour Combinations, and prefer Aluminium Interior Trim.
Definately No Dents or Scratches....and prefer original paintwork/panels. (Appreciate front bumpers may have been re-sprayed as a result of stone chips).

Basically, the condition and service history could probably over-ride the lack of certain optional accessories.

I'm a genuine buyer, looking for a particularly nice vehicle, and will not accept anything but the best.

If you know of a vehicle that meets my requirements, and will be on the market in about a months time......drop me a PM or e-mail me.

Many Thanks

Jim Green

Ashok Arora · 30th January 2007, 14:39

Welcome aboard!

mohan is selling his so send him a pm - nicely kept silverstone car

Otherwise check the f/s section here or at pistonheads.com and bm5w.co.uk

As far as dealers go, Hexagon in Highgate always have a few in stock but they tend to be rather pricey.

Feel free to ask further questions about specific cars that you come across

alantd · 30th January 2007, 14:57

Try autotrader.co.uk as well. Found mine there.

Welcome home

Jim Green · 30th January 2007, 15:09

Thanks guys.....am keeping a very close eye on autotrader/topmarques/pistonheads/e-bay.......and did see the silver one you refered too (Mohan's).....that looks like it would have been my ideal car, but I'm not back in the UK until 9th March.

Been browsing all the web sites, and think I know every M5 that's up for sale at the moment....LOL.

But keep the advice coming, and any info on cars about to come up for sale that I should go and see. I was in the UK about two months ago, and did infact look at four cars....non of which were as described...The usual "VGC or Immaculate Descriptions" turned out to be cars with car park dinks in the panels or just tired cars that hadn't been owned by enthusiasts. Such a dissapointment when you've spent half a day driving there and have the money in your pocket.

eljockvis · 30th January 2007, 19:21

hi

try and get one with existing manufacture warranty and stay away from early models ie 1999 and 2000,i had to get a new engine fitted under warranty because of this,the dealer told me it was the common 1999/2000 piston ring design fault or something like that,for £18k you should be able to get an 02
or 52 reg car.

heres a nice one for you in the m5 section, 2001... http://www.bmwmpower.co.uk/

Jim Green · 30th January 2007, 20:03

eljockvis : Thanks for the info..... the early ones had a problem with the Nicaseal Bore Liners, and quite a few were re-called and ended up getting a replacement engine. Obviously Vanos Sytems are the other item to look for, but I have a good mechanical background, so will take care.

Many Thanks for the link...

Shawn M5 · 30th January 2007, 20:11

Welcome mate...

good luck with your search, i took about 2/3 months to find my M5, test drove/viewed about 10 M5's before i found the one i now own, the biggest thing i learnt was that there is a LOT of dogs and bad examples out there. Take your time and i do hope you find the right car.

Ashok Arora · 30th January 2007, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Green

eljockvis : Thanks for the info..... the early ones had a problem with the Nicaseal Bore Liners

I thought the Nicasil issue only affected lesser E39s and NOT the M5

BMW MPOWER · 30th January 2007, 22:49

Ashok,

I think your right as that was only on the 2.8 engines as I remember it on 328i.

Tristan

eljockvis · 30th January 2007, 23:38

from what i understand it was just the actual piston rings that were the problem with the early m5s,when the z8 came out they revised them,the cylinder block was not changed and i dont think it is a nicasil
block in the e39 m5 either.
the double vanos on the e39 isnt as fragile as the deaded e36 m3 evos but im not sure what the main cause of failure of the units is,as far as i can see its just a small high pressure hydraulic gearbox system which if treated properly ie warm up the car properly before useing high revs and in my opinion use a low viscosity oil in my case 0w 40 mobil1 or 5w40 shell helix ultra.